'Iwillbeleadingthemission,'Rextonsaid.ThenhesmiledatBendix.'ButI'd
likeMrBendixtoaccompanyme.'
'Anhonour,sir,'Bendixreplied.
'Yourrequestisnoted,MrBendix,'Lanchardsaidcurtly.
She knew Bendix admired Rexton, while Lanchard herself had never quite
accepted the distinguished soldier turned politician at face value. Perhaps she saw too many similarities in the two men's characters. Or perhaps she was gettingoldandsetinherways.ShouldsheletBendixgo?Hewasfullycapable.
From the tone of her instructions, perhaps he was just the sort of man the undertakingrequired.Butothersamongthecrewmightvolunteeroutofloyalty
because she asked them. She might be sending them to their deaths - and for what?
Meanwhile,she'dbetterrelayasuitableversionofthislatestcommunication
totherestoftheship.Keeptheminformedaboutdevelopmentstopreventwild
rumours spreading. For a moment she found herself envying Vega. At least he didn'thaveiratepassengerstomollify.
***
ThornVegasatbeforethedeskscreenofhistinyprivatecabinandcontemplated
onceagaintheordersfromFleetCommandthathadcausedhimtosendagood
mantohisdeath.
'... the involvement of Kale Rexton, as revealed in intercepted transmission I/NFC/739X, indicates situation to be of highest priority. You will use every meanstosecurethealienvesselforthesoleuseoftheNimosianpeopleatthe
soonestopportunity.'
Andhehaddonejustthat,notwaitingforthealternativearrangementstobe
completed for fear that the Emindians would beat them to their common goal.
He knew command would agree it had been an acceptable risk in the
circumstances.Buthecouldnotescapethefeelingthathehadallowedhimself
tobepressuredintotakingit.Asaconsequencetheyhaddelayedtheotherwork
andlostfacebeforetheenemy.
Damn the Emindians! What was so important about the derelict that was
makingthemriskacivilianvesselanyway?WasitmerechancethatRextonwas
onboard,orpartofsomeclandestinedeception?Well,hewasn'tgoingtomake
the same mistake again. Nobody would approach the alien ship within the critical boundary in any craft that was not completely reliable and fully controllable.Iftheywerecaughtinanymoreofthosegravityshiftstheyhadto
beabletoholdtheirstation.Thebriefimagethetelescopemonitorhadmanaged
tocatchofKerven'sfallwouldhaunthimforyears.Hewishedtheycouldhave
found his body, but all they'd recovered had been his mangled pod drifting in space.Presumablyhewasstilllyinginsomecrannyonthealienship.Thatwas
anotherreasonfortakingpossessionofthecraftforNimos.Atleasthewouldsee
Kervengotaproperfuneral.
Heblankedthemessagefromthescreenandcalleduptheengineeringbay.
FirstTechReng'sfaceappeared.Vegacouldheardrillinginthebackgroundas
heavycableswererunthroughthesuperstructureofaClassTwoshuttle.
'How'sitgoing,Lio?'Vegaasked.
'About as expected, Commander. The new emitter circuit will generate a
counter-fieldtoneutralisetheinterference.We'llrunthesystemoffasensorand invertersothatit'salwaysinoppositephase.Thatshouldblanketatleastninety-fivepercentoftheemissions.Theadditionalpassiveshieldingwe'veputinwill
handletherest.'
'Verygood.Whenwillthemodificationsbefinished?'
Reng scratched his chin, unconsciously smearing it with a streak of
grime.Vega thought he looked more than just tired, but then that was understandable.Kervenhadbeenoneofhislongest-servingtechnicians.
"Threehourstofinishtheinstallationandhookituptothesecondarypower cells.Then I'd like a test run to calibrate the system and establish performance tolerances.I'dsaythat'lltakeanotherhour.'
'All right. But make your tests close to the ship. We don't want to give anythingawaytotheEmindians.'
Vegabroketheconnection.
So,hecouldsetthemissiongotimeforzeroninehundred.Whattimewould
that be by the Cirrandaria's clock? Zero two hundred: virtually the middle of theirnight.Good.Withanyluckthewholebusinesswouldbeconcludedbefore
theirpassengerswokeup.
Chapter5
Moderator
'You'reactuallygoingtohitthemwithyourrealname?'Samsaid,amischievous
glint in her eyes, as they stepped into the lift.The Doctor occasionally went underthetransparentpseudonymofJohnSmith,butSamhaddiscoveredthathis
realnamewassomethingquitealienandvirtuallyunpronounceable.
'It's what I registered under,' the Doctor replied, as he played his sonic screwdriver over the lift's control panel, causing it to take them to the bridge deck against its programming.'With the greatest respect to the Smiths and Jonesesofthegalaxy-'hepausedwhileshecurtsiedgraciously-'therearetimes when a more individual cognomen has its advantages when one wants to
impress.'
Samsmiled,thenasked,'Ithoughtyou'dgoallouttoputLysetWynteroff
going.Youthinkthatderelict'sdangerous.'
Heshrugged.'Thechoiceishers.Shefullyunderstandsthepotentialdanger.
Atsomepointeveryspeciesmustallowitsmemberstobehaveasadults.It'sthe
innocent and those forced to follow orders that need protection.But also -'for a moment a faraway look crossed his face - 'I had a feeling it was... destined, somehow...'
'Well,atleastshe'sgotDonDelray,manofaction,tolookoutforher,'Sam
pointedout.
'So she has,' the Doctor agreed, brightening again. 'But I don't think Mr Delray is enjoying the responsibility as much as he might. What tensions are hidden within that outwardly amicable relationship? You humans do lead such complexlives.'
Sam saw he was beaming now, pleased to enter the fray despite his
misgivings.Justlikeabigkid,shethought.
Theliftdoorslidbacktorevealacorridorlessplushlyfinishedthanthoseon
the passenger decks, with a solitary guard at the far end. Sam straightened up andtriedtoappearsuitablyself-assured.
'OK,tothebridge.Leadon,Macduff!'Samsaid.
Acommonmisquotation,'theDoctorcorrectedherastheystrodeforward.
'Thephraseisactually"Layon,Macduff.Macbethwasinvitinghisopponent
tohefthisswordandcontinuecombat.ItoldWillpeoplewouldgetitwrongin
thefuture,buthewouldn'tlisten...'
Samtutted.'Fancysomeoneelsethinkingtheyknowbetter,'sheteased.
Theguard,Samnoticedastheyapproached,lookedtiredandirritable.
Clearlyhehadbeenforcedtodealwithtoomanyiratepassengersinthelast fewhours.Hefrownedatthem.'Youshouldn'tbeonthislevel.Nopassengers
allowedinhere.'
The Doctor smiled at him beatifically as though he had just been given a heartywelcome.
'WewishtotalktotheCaptain,'hesaidmildly,holdinguphisidentitycard
for inspection.As the guard's eyes flicked across it a new image flashed into beingoverthestandardinformationbars.'TellherFederationModeratorDoctor
—wantstoseeherconcerningthealienvessel.'
Thename,ifit
hadbeenaname,spokeninthemiddleofthesentencehad
obviouslybeenquiteincomprehensibletotheguard.Buthecertainlyseemedto
recognisetheFederationshieldreadilyenough,accompaniedbythescarlet-and-
black band of the Moderator's office. Almost everywhere, the Doctor had told Sam, those symbols were known and respected. A Moderator was an
independent troubleshooter with virtually unlimited plenipotentiary powers,
backedbytheforcesoftheFederation.
Evenonnon-FederationworldsaModerator'sopinionwasvalued,andthey
mightbecalledupontoactasanimpartialjudgeandjuryinthemostseriousof
disputes.
Theguardswallowednervously.
'Yes, Moderator Doctor... er, I'll tell her you're here. If you'd just wait a moment.'Andhespokeurgentlyintohiswristcom.
The Doctor beamed benignly at him and Sam tried to copy his nonchalant stance.
Inhalfaminutethedoorwasopenedbyajuniorofficerwhousheredthem
deferentially inside. 'Captain Lanchard will see you in her day cabin,' he informedthem.
Samthoughtthebridgelookedalmostdesertedwithonlythreecrewpresent.
Mostoftheliner'sfunctionswereevidentlyhandledautomaticallybythetiered
sweep of consoles with their shimmering displays that ran along the rear wall.There was, however, a single deep chair set before the main forward viewport, which served as a reminder that the ship still had a sole captain in whomultimateresponsibilityresided.
Theywereescortedtoasmallercompartmentleadingoffthebridge,which
was comfortably furnished like a lounge-cum-office. Captain Lanchard and
Councillor Rexton were waiting for them. Sam read perplexed interest in the Captain's face and barely concealed annoyance in Rexton's. Once again the DoctorpresentedhisimpressiveidentitycardandSamfollowedsuit,hopingher
features displayed the right expression of serious high-minded professionalism.
Without a word Rexton took their cards and fed them into a tabletop scanner.
Samfelttheexpressionfreezeonherface,whiletheDoctorexhibitedatolerant
smile. After what seemed an eternity a green light flashed on the machine.
Rextonhandedbackthecards.FromhisgrimaceSamsuspectedhewouldhave
been happier if he had discovered they were impostors. Now he had to spare themalittletimeandrespect.
'My assistant, Ms Jones,' the Doctor said, introducing her formally. Rexton noddedcurtlywhiletheCaptainshooktheirhands.
'MsJones,Doctor...er...'Shehesitated.
The Doctor waved a negligent hand. 'Don't trouble yourself. "Doctor" will suffice.I'mquiteusedtoit.'
'I didn't know we had Moderators on board,' Rexton said as they seated themselves,withmorethanatraceofsuspicioninhisvoice.
'We don't normally advertise our presence when not on official business, Councillor,' the Doctor explained.'We are simply on holiday. However, as the situationremainsunresolved,Ithoughtitbesttomakeourselvesknowntoyou
andformallyofferourservices.'
'Inwhatcapacity?'Lanchardasked.
'Intheinterestsofpeaceandgoodwillbetweenplanets,naturally,'theDoctor
said.
Sam felt Rexton's intense scrutiny pass over them. He's a politician, she thought.Heknowshecan'tignoreaModerator,sohe'stryingtomakethebestof
it.
'Then you should talk to the Nimosians first,' he suggested. 'They're
obviously more in need of your services than we are. Remind them they're infringingourterritorialspace,andthatwehavepriorclaimonthederelict.'
'OhIwill,ifitbecomesnecessary,'theDoctorassuredhim,leaningforward
toemphasisehiswords,hiseyesglitteringintensely.'InfactIwilldoanythingto avoid unnecessary harm coming to any occupant of the Cirrandarta or the Indomitable-oreventhecrewofthealienvessel,ifithasone.Ihopeyouwill bearthatinmind.'
Rextonbristled,takingthewordsasathinlyveiledwarning.Hegloweredat
theDoctor,asthoughtryingtocowhimwiththeforceofhiswill.Samsawtheir
eyeslockandrealisedRextonassumedtheDoctorwasasmildandyouthfulas
he looked. But after just a few seconds it was Rexton who turned aside, as thoughhehadseenunexpecteddepthsinthosecoolblueeyesoppositehim.
Lanchard tried to lower the tension. 'We're very grateful for your offer, Doctor.Ofcoursewehopethatthesituationcanberesolvedpeacefully.'
'Thenyouwillstaywellclearofthederelict?''Wecannotweakenourclaim
tosalvage,'Rextonsaid.'Youhaveovertwothousandciviliansonboard,'
the Doctor reminded him.'You cannot involve them in your dispute with
Nimos.''Wedon'tintendto,'Lanchardsaid.'AFederationevacuationshipison
its way. By the way, do you wish to contact the Assembly yourself to confirm thearrangements?Youarewelcometouseourprioritychannel.'
"That won't be necessary,' the Doctor said quickly. 'I'm sure it's coming as fastaspossible.'
'Aslongasthepropermeasureshavebeentaken,'Samexplained,'weliketo
keepalowprofile.Ourmainconcernisthealienvessel.'
She saw Rexton frown suspiciously but continued,'Obviously if it is the
property of a previously unknown alien race then the Federation must be fully briefed. For all we know their sphere of influence may border on Federation territory.Itrustwecancountonyourcooperationinthismatter,whichI'msure you will appreciate is clearly in the best interests of both the Federation and Emindar.'
Thatsoundedprettysmooth,Samthought.Outofthecornerofhereyeshe
caughttheDoctor'stinyapprovingsmileandfeltawarmglowofpleasure.
'Naturally,'Rextonassuredher.'Wewanttomaintainamicablerelationswith
theFederation.'
'Thatbeingthecase,'theDoctorsaidbrightly,'howsoonwillyourmodified
shuttlebereadytoattemptalandingonthederelict?'
Rextonlookedtakenaback.
'Oh, it's inevitable you'll make the attempt,' the Doctor said.'As will the Nimosians,Ishouldthink.Butdon'tturnthisintoarace,Councillor.Youmight
allloseintheend.'
'Youcan'tstopuslandingonthederelictandclaimingsalvagerights,'
Rextonsaid.
'EvenafterwhathappenedtotheNimosians?'Sampointedout.Rextondidn't
troubletoreply.
'No,Ican'tstopyou,'theDoctoradmitted,'thoughIdomoststronglyadvise
against it.' He looked hopefully into Rexton's face but saw only stubborn defiance.'No, I thought you wouldn't change your mind. In that case I request placesbesetasideforustoaccompanythemission.'
'I'm not sure that will be possible,' Rexton said quickly. "The capacity of a shuttleislimited.Wewillneedtosendafullteamover.Technicalexpertsand
suitablyqualifiedpersonnel,youunderstand.'
'Butweareexperts,'Saminsisted.
'Andsupposingtherearemembersofthealiencrewstillonboardtheship,'
the Doctor pointed out. 'Having Federation representatives with you would
be an advantage - one the Nimosians would not have should they land before you. We do have considerable practical experience in similar situations which you would benefit from. Post-spaceflight
industrial archaeology is a hobby of mine.IoncewroteanarticleonitfortheInterstellarPangraphic.Haveyouread it?No?Remindmetosendyouacopy.'
Sam saw Rexton's expression change subtly. 'Very well, Doctor. I accept
your arguments have some merit. You and Ms Jones may accompany the
boardingparty.'
'Ah, and I promised to ask, on behalf of Lyset Wynter and Don Delray, if theycouldalsojointheexploratoryparty,'theDoctoradded.'MsWynterwould
liketorecordeventsforposterityandtakeacloserlookatthederelict.'
"Thephotographerandtheactor?'Rextonscowled.'Ridiculous!''Foolhardy
on their part, perhaps,' the Doctor said, 'but not necessarily ridiculous. I would have thought a professional photographer would be quite useful to help
document the interior of the craft.' A fresh thought appeared to strike him.
'Unless you think there's something about it that should be kept secret?' he musedguilelessly.
'I will not speculate on the matter,' Rexton replied stiffly. He frowned. 'I suppose Wynter may come as long as she submits her pictures for official vetting before they are published.' The Doctor beamed at him.'I'm sure she'd agreetothat.''AndDonDelray?'Samasked.
'No. This is not some juvenile adventure vid,' Rexton said firmly. 'No, it's merely the investigation of a derelict spacecraft which you're turning into an interstellar incident,' Captain Lanchard interjected.'And it's making the
passengersandcrewuneasy.Delrayisapopularfigurepeoplecanidentifywith.
If he and Wynter want to go along - and they'll sign waivers absolving the companyofanyresponsibility-thenitmighthelpreassurethem.
Remember, you need this ship to remain calm for another couple of days untilreliefforcesarrive.Thinkaboutit.'"TheCaptainmayberight,'theDoctor said. Rexton sighed. 'Very well,' he conceded with bad grace. 'We'll let you know when the shuttle modifications are complete,' Lanchard said to Sam and theDoctor.'Abouttwohoursfromnowwasthelastestimate.'
'Good,' said the Doctor, rising from his chair. 'We have preparations of our owntomake.'
Doctor Who - The 8th Doctor - 14 - Vanderdeken Page 6